'U' Alum Larry Ross Named to "M" Club Hall of Fame

Larry Ross during his tenure as head coach at International Falls High School (Duluth News Tribune)

Gopher hockey All-American and long-time International Falls High School coach Larry Ross will be one of 10 individuals inducted into the University of Minnesota "M" Club Hall of Fame this year.

A native of Duluth, Minn., and graduate of Morgan Park High School, Ross was a First Team All-American in goal for the Gophers in 1951 after serving in the Navy. The netminder would go on to an incredible prep coaching career at International Falls High School -- leading the Broncos to six Minnesota state titles and a 566-169-21 record including a 58-game unbeaten streak from 1964-66.

He received numerous honors and accolades, and even wrote a book entitled "Hockey For Everyone." He was later honored by his peers in 1983, when he was named Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association. Then, in 1985, he was awarded the National High School Special Sports award by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association, while in 1988, he was the recipient of the John Mariucci College Award for his contribution to College Hockey by the American College Hockey Coaches Association.

Ross, who passed away in 1995, was elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.

The official induction of the 2013 class will take place during a ceremony to be held in the DQ Club Room at TCF Bank Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 24. A social hour beginning at 6 p.m. will kick off the event, with the main program starting at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase through the Gopher Athletics Ticket Office online at mygophersports.com or by calling 1-800-U-Gopher beginning August 15.

The University of Minnesota "M" Club is a nonprofit organization representing all letterwinners from University of Minnesota athletics teams. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor achievements and to preserve the tradition of those athletes, coaches and athletic staff members who have contributed in an outstanding and positive way to the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

The criteria for induction to the University of Minnesota "M" Club Hall of Fame include four different categories: significant accomplishments by a former student-athlete; significant achievements by a former coach or administrator; significant contributions of time, talent or resources to the athletics department by someone other than an athlete, coach or administrator, and significant professional achievement by a former Minnesota student-athlete.

Former student-athletes inducted for significant accomplishments become eligible for selection five years after the expiration of their eligibility, while former coaches and staff members must have served the department for five years to be eligible.